Mormon leader outlines opposition to gay marriage

Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing during the opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press

Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing during the opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

People walk pass a unidentified protester with a bible on their way from the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

People walk pass a unidentified protester with a bible on their way from the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve speaks during the 184th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday."While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not," said Andersen. (AP Photo/The Deseret News, Scott G Winterton) SALT LAKE TRIBUNE OUT; MAGS OUTThe Associated Press

Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve speaks during the 184th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday."While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not," said Andersen. (AP Photo/The Deseret News, Scott G Winterton) SALT LAKE TRIBUNE OUT; MAGS OUT

People gather inside the Conference Center during the 184th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

People gather inside the Conference Center during the 184th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

People walk pass a unidentified protester on their way from the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

People walk pass a unidentified protester on their way from the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

People look on during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

People look on during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addresses the 184th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addresses the 184th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, walks with his daughter, Ann M. Dibb, right, following the morning session Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

Thomas S. Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, walks with his daughter, Ann M. Dibb, right, following the morning session Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

People walk pass the Salt Lake Temple on the way to the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

People walk pass the Salt Lake Temple on the way to the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

People walk pass the Salt Lake Temple on the way to the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

People walk pass the Salt Lake Temple on the way to the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

People walk pass a unidentified protester on their way to the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

People walk pass a unidentified protester on their way to the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

People walk pass the Salt Lake Temple on the way to the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

People walk pass the Salt Lake Temple on the way to the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

People walk pass a unidentified protester on their way from the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

People walk pass a unidentified protester on their way from the Conference Center during opening session of the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. In addition to those filling up the 21,000-seat conference center during the sessions, thousands more listen or watch around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The afternoon session of the two-day Mormon church conference begins Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

The afternoon session of the two-day Mormon church conference begins Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt Lake City. More than 100,000 Latter-day Saints are expected in Salt Lake City this weekend for the church's biannual general conference. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give carefully crafted speeches aimed at providing members with guidance and inspiration in five sessions that span Saturday and Sunday. They also make announcements about church statistics, new temples or initiatives. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Hannah Wheelwright, left, and Kate Kelly, along with other Mormon women pushing the church to allow women in the priesthood, march to Temple Square during the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt lake City. The church has asked the women to reconsider, and barred media from going on church property during the demonstration. Mormon officials allowed the women's group to demonstrate its displeasure for not being allowed in an all-male meeting, on church property but still didn't let them attend. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

Hannah Wheelwright, left, and Kate Kelly, along with other Mormon women pushing the church to allow women in the priesthood, march to Temple Square during the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt lake City. The church has asked the women to reconsider, and barred media from going on church property during the demonstration. Mormon officials allowed the women's group to demonstrate its displeasure for not being allowed in an all-male meeting, on church property but still didn't let them attend. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

A Mormon's women group pushing the church to allow women in the priesthood march to Temple Square during the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt lake City. The church has asked them to reconsider, and barred media from going on church property during the demonstration. Mormon officials allowed the women's group to demonstrate its displeasure for not being allowed in an all-male meeting, on church property but still didn't let them attend. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)The Associated Press

A Mormon's women group pushing the church to allow women in the priesthood march to Temple Square during the two-day Mormon church conference Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Salt lake City. The church has asked them to reconsider, and barred media from going on church property during the demonstration. Mormon officials allowed the women's group to demonstrate its displeasure for not being allowed in an all-male meeting, on church property but still didn't let them attend. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A top Mormon leader reiterated the church's opposition to gay marriage during the church's biannual general conference.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' stance on homosexuality has softened in recent years, but this marks the second consecutive conference in which leaders took time to emphasize the faith's insistence that marriage should be limited to unions between a man and a woman, as God created.

"While many governments and well-meaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not," Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve said Saturday. "He designated the purpose of marriage to go far beyond the personal satisfaction and fulfillment of adults, to more importantly, advancing the ideal setting for children to be born, reared and nurtured."

In the October 2013 church conference, Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum said human laws cannot "make moral what God has declared immoral."

The church sent a letter to local leaders that includes that message, Andersen said Saturday. "As the world slips away from the Lord's law of chastity, we do not," he said.

During the first day of the weekend conference, LDS leaders on Saturday also encouraged missionaries to stay strong amid the inevitable personal abuse they will encounter and parents to shelter their children from the damaging effects of pornography.

A demonstration outside an all-male meeting by a Mormon women's group advocating for gender equality was uneventful, despite a contentious lead up to the event.

The conference brings more than 100,000 Latter-day Saints to Salt Lake City to find out church news and soak up words of guidance and inspiration from the faith's top leaders. Thousands more will listen or watch from around the world in 95 languages on television, radio, satellite and Internet broadcasts. More than half of all 15 million Latter-day Saints live outside of the U.S., church figures show.

The conference is widely followed and analyzed on social media, with many using the Twitter hash tag, "#LDSconf."

Gay marriage has been an especially hot topic in Utah since December, when a federal judge overturned Utah's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. More than 1,000 gay and lesbian couples married until the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on marriages pending a ruling from a federal appeals court in Denver. A hearing is set there for Thursday.

Andersen encouraged church members not to buckle under the pressure of a growing movement on social media and elsewhere by advocates who want to make gay marriage legal. He offered the example of a woman who articulated her support for "traditional marriage" on Facebook and refused to take it down despite backlash.

Andersen is a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve, which is the second-highest governing body of the church. Modeled after Jesus Christ's apostles, the 12 men serve under the church president and his two counselors.

Andersen said church members who "struggle with same-sex attraction" should be of special concern. He said he admires people who confront this "trial of faith and stay true to the commandments of God."